Northumberland

Lindisfarne castle will open on Boxing Day this year. The causeway to the Holy Island will open from 9.40am for those wanting an early blast of fresh North Sea air. Walk around the island and take in the views of Farne Island and Bamburgh castle while keeping an eye on the time to avoid high tide on your return.

Surrey

Festive foodies should head to Hampton Court Palace for a Tudor Christmas cookery display from December 27 to January 1. Food archeologists will recreate Tudor recipes using traditional cooking methods and utensils. Fried sheep’s feet, anyone? There will also be reenactments of the sorts of lavish feasts Henry VIII enjoyed over the Christmas period, which is sure to make you feel less guilty at having gulped second helpings on Christmas Day.

Scottish Highlands

Climb aboard a restored steam train in the Scottish highlands on December 27 or 31. Take in the glorious Speyside scenery on the Strathsprey Railway and enjoy a couple of festive treats en route. The Mince Pie Special trip, costing £9.50 for adults and £4.75 for children, includes a return trip between Aviemore and Broomhill and a couple of mince pies for the journey.

Sussex

There is no end of festive walks for frosty Christmas afternoons, but where can you go after dark? Try Sheffield Park, a mammoth landscape garden in Sussex, which will be flooded with coloured light effects for after-sunset strolls between December 27 and 30. The Enchanted Garden will open from 5pm-8pm, with tickets priced at £12 for adults and £6 for children.

London

As thousands of people flock to Oxford Street to battle it out for bargains in the sales, why not take the opportunity to explore many of London’s sites away from the crowds. Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Globe Theatre and London Eye are all open on Boxing Day and most attractions and museums reopen on December 27. Or join an organised walk through the city’s streets. The Original London Walks company is running a Boxing Day Cockney London walk, which departs from St Paul’s at 11am.

Warwick

Most cities in the UK now have an ice rink during the festive period but Warwick has gone one better this year with an ice slide at Warwick castle, alongside the traditional rink. Launch yourself down the 18-metre (60ft) icy run on a rubber ring with the medieval castle as backdrop. It could be the closest thing to sledging you will get to sample in the UK this winter. Daytime skating costs from £6 and the ice slide is priced at £2 a go.

Newcastle

Seven Stories, the British children's book archive, is housed in a seven-storey converted granary in the Ouseburn area of Newcastle. A Christmas story party and puppetry workshop taking place there on December 27 and 28 could be a creative break from endless Disney film reruns on the box. Family tickets are available for £15.

London

For an upmarket panto fix, the English National Ballet’s production of Alice in Wonderland will run from December 28-January 7 at the London Coliseum. To coincide, the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel is hosting a Mad Hatter afternoon tea party with a Wonderland inspired spread in the Palm Court lounge. Tuck into giant scones and Drink Me tea before the performance. Tea costs £35 for adults and £12 a child.